SPORTS SECTION E
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025
Bahamas earns a shot at the promotion round
‘TUM TUM’ SAYS TEAM BAHAMAS IS READY FOR FIBA ‘Focused and confident’ ladies pull off huge 2-1 AMERICUP win over host El Salvador in crossover playoffs By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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aptain Kim O’Kelley had two words to describe the performances of The Bahamas’ team at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup tie yesterday in Santa Tecla, El Salvador - focused and confident. After winning their pool play with an impressive 3-0 win-loss record, Team Bahamas went to the crossover playoffs and pulled off a huge 2-1 victory over host
‘BUDDY’ PUTS ON 24 ELITE BASKETBALL COACHES CLINIC – PAGE 7
El Salvador to earn a shot at the promotion round today against Uruguay. In their crossover playoff match, Simone Pratt suffered her first loss in four matches, losing 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 to El Salvador’s Susana Souhrada in the opening singles. But top seed Sydney Clarke got revenge by knocking off El Salvador’s top seed Sara Valentina Cruz Bonilla 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to even the tie at 1-1. It came down to the doubles and O’Kelley said it was just a “joy” to watch as Clarke and Pratt teamed up to secure a 6-1, 6-3 win over Bonilla and Souhrada to clinch the tie. “It was emotional,” said O’Kelley, the former number one tennis player for The Bahamas during the Fed Cup era. “Simone played a girl who was very tough. She just couldn’t pull it out. Maybe it was the heat. “But Sydney just played an incredible match. She was so focused and confident. The girl was good. She was very good. But she just pulled it out.” What really amazed O’Kelley was the way Clarke and Pratt played in doubles. “They are just an incredible doubles team. I just love watching them play,” O’Kelley stated. “They are really good at playing together. They did it.” Clarke concurred with O’Kelley that it was a long day filled with emotions.
tired, but we’re pushing through and all we can do is wish for the best and just pray that we go out there
AFTER two successful exhibition games and a training camp this past week, head coach Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn said The Bahamas men’s national basketball team is prepared for the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup. The team, which was named yesterday, will be playing at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello Arena in Managua, Nicaragua, from August 22-31. The team, coming off two successful exhibition games against Nicaragua, will be playing its opener against the United States of America on Saturday at 3:40 pm, followed by Brazil on Sunday at the same time and then Uruguay on Tuesday at 4:10pm. According to Nairn, a former national team player who has been given his first assignment as head coach for this team, the players are all eager and ready to go. Named to the team are Domnick Bridgewater, Jaraun Burrows, Franco Miller, Lathaniel Bastian, Wilkenson Isnord, Radshad Davis, Garvin Clarke, Sammy Hunter, Kentwan Smith, Joshua Dames and Isaiah Mobley. Joining Nairn on the coaching staff are Addie Walters, Michael Thompson, Rashad Mackey and Willis Mackey. “We’re looking pretty good. We had a few days to actually practice and pick
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TEAM Bahamas celebrating with the ball boys after winning their pool play with an impressive 3-0 win-loss record. Team Bahamas went to the crossover playoffs and pulled off a huge 2-1 victory over host El Salvador to earn a shot at the promotion round today against Uruguay. “I was able to hold it together in my singles and get us to 1-1 and then Simone and me were able to win the doubles and now tomorrow (today) we play
Uruguay,” Clarke said. “Hopefully we can keep the momentum going. “We haven’t had a day off this week, which was really tough. We’re really
Jonquel makes career-high tying five 3-pointers, scores 25 points in loss to Sky NEW YORK (AP) — Kamilla Cardoso had 22 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, Angel Reese scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and the Chicago Sky beat Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty 91-85 last
night to end a five-game losing streak. Chicago (9-26), which had lost 13 of 14 overall, also snapped a five-game skid against New York. Ariel Atkins scored 19 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and Michaela Onyenwere added 13 for the Sky in a game that AND CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS featured 21 CAN lead changes L AMERI TRA CEN , CAN NORTH AMERI and 11 ties. Jones made a careerhigh tying five 3-pointers and scored 25 points for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu added 16 points and Natasha Cloud 14. Ionescu made two free throws that gave the Liberty an 85-83 lead with 2:23 left in the game. Atkins answered with a runner in the lane, drew a foul fighting through a screen by Emma Meesseman, and then made JONQUEL Jones made a career-high tying five 3-pointers and one from the free-throw scored 25 points for the Liberty last night. But they lost to Anline to give Chicago the gel Reese and the Sky, 91-85. (AP) lead for good with 1:35 in the paint and shot 50% of 20 from 3-point range remaining. New York, the (31 of 62) from the field. in the first half but hit just Cardoso made eight of three of 17 (18%) after defending WNBA champion, went 0 for nine from the field, hit six halftime. 4 from the field with of six from the free-throw Breanna Stewart (knee) a turnover as the Sky line and had five assists. did not play for the Liberty. New York, which went closed the game on an The Liberty plays into the game leading the Atlanta on the road and 8-0 run. PAGE 8 The Sky scored a WNBA in made 3-point- the Sky hosts Connecticut season-high 52 points ers (9.9 per game), was 10 on Saturday.
GOLDEN MOMENT
ESPN’S FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT WEEKEND ON AT BAHA MAR By JONATHAN BURROWS DAY one of ESPN’s Fantasy Football Draft weekend got underway yesterday at the Baha Mar resort. This marks the beginning of the four-day event, with the official draft on Saturday, August 23. The opening ceremony was buzzing with energy as fans worldwide gathered to celebrate the start of the fantasy football weekend.
And there were NFL veterans, including former All-Pro running back Todd Gurley, free agent running back Jamal Williams and NFL veteran wide receiver Golden Tate. The head event organiser shared what the event was about and the future of the event. “This is the second time we have hosted this event here at Baha Mar and we just want to create
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THE SPORTS CALENDAR
Aug.
title Sprinter Anthonique Strachan wins 200m
SOFTBALL ATLANTIS ALL-STAR WEEKEND THE Atlantis Softball League has announced that its All-Star Weekend is scheduled for 3:30pm Wednesday, September 3, in the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park at the Southern Recreation Grounds. The draft is slated to be held for the team
selection for the All-Star Game and Community Family Fun Day that will be staged at 11am on Saturday, September 13. BASKETBALL BBSF TOURNAMENT THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is scheduled to hold a meeting 6pm Thursday, August 28 at its office upstairs in the
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